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BMW announces Megacity hybrid-electric vehicle

BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer has reportedly confirmed a new eco-friendly machine called the Megacity Vehicle as part of the automaker’s Project i. Beyond the name, details are sketchy. According to Reithofer, “Customers will have the choice between a fully electric drive and a high-efficiency combustion engine. Large-scale production could start in the first half of the next decade.”

We’re not entirely sure yet if that means the vehicle will be some sort of hybrid or if it will be offered with two separate and distinct powertrain options. We’re also wondering if the Megacity has anything to do with the rumored small car development with Fiat, which would supposedly spawn new city cars from both the German and the Italian automaker. BMW is also “pursuing a radical approach toward establishing a truly sustainable value chain-from development to production and sales,” said Reithofer.

The above pictured BMW Isetta has very little to do with the announcement below – I just think that this 1950s microcar looks very cute. The Isetta was originally designed in Italy and built by many companies all over the world.In Germany it was called the ‘rolling egg’ or ‘coffin car’ (Sargwagen) because of the low survival rates in heavy accidents. I guess the common link between the Isetta and the below mentioned Megacaity Vehicle will be that both share a relatively price tag and were/will be built for short distance travel.